Rapid Deployment, Multi-Dimensional Wedge Barrier Levee &amp; Dike Repair System

ABSTRACT

The system utilizes a matrix of inflation modules held in position by x-y orthogonal cables. The inflation modules contain hydroscopic materials such as polymer power that swells when wet to produce modules of substantial height. The modules may be stacked in rows and columns to bridge a gap in a levee. Ballast holds the bottom of the matrix down and inflation modules, which may be air filed spheres hold the top of the matrix, on or near the surface of the water. The matrix may be configured to have a levee side that is as narrow as the opening in the levee and a water side that is wider than the gap in the levee to produce a wedging effect. Orthogonally arranged cables maintain the inflation modules in position and are used to anchor the matrix to intact portions of the levee. At points where the cables intersect they are held together by connector modules which a comprised of two halves with groves for cables and provision for holding the halves together with a bolts or other fasteners.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims the priority benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/356,959, entitled Rapid Deployment, Multi-Dimensional, “Wedge” Barrier Levee & Dike Repair System, filed Jun. 21, 2010 by the present inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flood waters can quickly take or threaten life and reduce homes, schools and places of business to scrap heaps in a wasteland of wet and muddy debris.

Every year there is ruinous property damage as a result of unwanted or unexpected water incursion. Such destruction can occur as a result of too much rain in too short a time period literally overwhelming both natural and man-made water sheds, channels, holding ponds, dikes, levees, dams etc., or it can occur as a result of the simple structural failure of such natural and/or manmade infrastructure which are designed to contain and/or divert creeks, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes and even oceans away from population centers and structures in those population centers not designed to withstand the unwanted incursion of water.

Under the right set of circumstances almost every water containment, control or diversion infrastructure and solution will fail. When they fail (as just a few of the levee's did in New Orleans during and after Katrina), devastation follows.

Typically when such water containment infrastructure fails, there is an immediate and urgent need to temporarily stop or stem the flow of unwanted water as well as a longer term need to effect permanent fixes or repairs. Only rarely are the two done simultaneously. There are over 25,000 miles of levee's in the US alone. The state of California alone has almost 10% of that total, much of it aging or poorly constructed earthen structures.

The current invention uniquely addresses the need for a quick, cost effective and temporary repair and/or prevention system or barrier to substantially reduce or stop the unwanted flow of large bodies of contained water over or through an existing but weakened, breached, damaged or failed retention infrastructure (i.e. levee, dike or dam) be they made from natural materials (e.g. earthen) or made-made (e.g. concrete, block, metal, or wood) materials. The water escaping through the damaged or failed infrastructure typically creates major flooding issues and losses of life or damage to real property located in the adjacent areas protected by the levee, dike or dam infrastructure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the unique three-dimensional design and integration of with selected materials including both natural and made-made, bio and/or photo degradable, non-toxic materials. These materials are engineered and integrated into an interconnected modular matrix barrier' of varying site-specific overall dimensions which can be deployed very quickly with or without the use of heavy equipment or helicopters.

The system can be manually deployed directly from atop the levee, dam or dike (hereinafter collectively ‘levee’ or ‘levees’), lowered by crane, helicopter or floated into position from the (water) side of the levee. The goal is to ‘clog’ or ‘plug’ an opening or breach if one has started or to provide a water-side (placed on the inside or water-side of the levee, dike or dam) ‘patch’ to an area of the levee, dam or dike that is displaying signs of stress or weakening. The barrier (or patch) extends from the surface of the water all the way down the face of the levee to the bottom and, in many embodiments, outward along the bottom away from the levee (depending upon the shape, slope and depth of the levee itself on the ‘water-side’ of the levee. The number of connected inflation modules (both horizontally and vertically) can be quickly changed on-site based upon the height of the levee and the width of the breach or weakened portion of the levee.

The system is typically constructed and deployed on the ‘water side’ of the levee (the side of the levee against which the body of water being contained faces) using a flexible connective support and structural shaping matrix (‘spider web’ or ‘grid’) of preferably vinyl coated, heavy-duty galvanized steel cable, or high-strength rope or straps (collectively cable) fastened together at 90° angles (‘x’ and ‘y’ axis) to form a multi-layered and multi-level grid of squares, cubes or rectangular ‘open’ spaces typically measuring 36-48″ in width & depth and 36-60″ in length or height referred to herein as a matrix barrier. The connectors used to hold and/or guide the cable are of a proprietary design and are later discussed in greater and more specific detail. Such connectors also accommodate the ‘Z’ axis connective grid cable though it typically functions only as a ‘guide’ rather than a fastener in order to allow the ‘Z’ axis connector to flex and slide along the ‘Z’ axis connector as the overall matrix system bows and flexes into the breached levee itself. The ‘open’ spaces are then filled by attaching various combinations of non-rigid, self-inflating containment vessels (bags or envelopes) referred to herein as inflation modules. In an alternative embodiment, the inflation modules themselves are directly connected to one another rather than indirectly via the cable, to form the matrix barrier to which they are all connected.

The top horizontal row (i.e. the row on or nearest to the surface of the water body being held back or contained by the levee itself and running parallel to the levee bank) of the entire matrix barrier will typically be the longest and typically 3:1 or 2:1 the depth of the matrix barrier itself. Connected along all or some sides by the cables, ropes or straps and filling the above referenced ‘open spaces’ are the inflation modules themselves composed of 3 dimensional shapes such as square, round or triangular polypropylene (or similar natural or man-made woven or non-woven fabric) bags or sacks containing pre-measured amounts of super absorptive powers (often cross-linked) acrylamide, acrylate, and/or cellulose polymers or other natural or man-made materials (e.g. nano tubes, etc) that encapsulate water molecules or attach a large number of water molecules together and expand exponentially when hydrated with water (fresh or salt). In one embodiment, the inflation module is simply filled with water, the remainder of the barrier system being identical to the one described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a straight-on, under-water frontal view of a vertically deployed barrier system illustrating round flotation modules at the top. The horizontal and vertical cables holding the matrix barrier together, the inflation modules attached to selected positions within the matrix and ballast modules attached to the bottoms of some or all of the vertical cables or ropes.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a deployed matrix barrier system in the water prior to it being pulled, pushed or sucked into the breach of the failed levee. This view further illustrates the flexibility of the system in that some portions of the matrix barrier are unpopulated by the expansion modules (which are depicted here in solid black).

FIG. 3 depicts an ‘underwater’ side view of a positioned and deployed matrix barrier system with the round flotation modules on the water surface, the vertical and horizontal connecting cables, inflation modules attached to selected positions within the matrix and the ballast modules resting on the bottom or side slope of the levee

FIG. 4 illustrates perspective view from the top, of a deployed matrix barrier system that has been pulled, pushed or simply ‘sucked’ into the breached levee. This illustration demonstrates the built-in ‘bowing’ or wedging capability of the system which allows the spacing between each inflation module to vary (increase or decrease) from the front of each module to the rear of the same module.

FIG. 5 depicts the cable connector device itself which is used to align, guide and/or crimp together, the structural cables or ropes that comprise the ‘skeleton’ of the matrix barrier system. The connector is cast or machined in two halves with various holes, channels, notches etc included as shown. The recessed channels that allow the cable to pass through the connector will have small raised ridges or ribs designed to indent the vinyl coating of the cable or the soft surface of the rope or webbing to provide more ‘grip’ on the cable by the two halves of the connector

FIG. 6 illustrates the connector (open) with various cables passing through (horizontal, vertical and perpendicular). Both the top half and bottom half of the connector have a single notch, in the form of a keyway, valley or depression on their edges which must be aligned before the bolts are secured. This assures that the cable running perpendicular to the other cables will have its passage holes properly aligned.

FIG. 7 depicts a closed and tightened connector with all cables either crimped together or loosely passing through.

FIG. 8 is a perspective depiction of an individual inflation module attached to the matrix cabling structure. In a typical embodiment, the module itself will measure 48″ wide×48″ deep×60″ high and contain approximately 60 cubic feet of hydrated super absorbent cross-linked acryl amide, acrylate and/or cellulose polymers. Inside the overall module can be a thin, water permeable non-woven natural or man-made fabric liner which is used to keep the pre-hydrated polymers from falling out of the exterior ‘envelope’ which comprises the primary structure of the inflation module itself The liner, if used, is attached to the inside of the module and is the same size and dimension as the interior of the module. In alternative embodiments, the liner may be eliminated completely or replaced by one or more smaller ‘packets’ of the polymer mix which dissolves upon contact with water.

FIG. 9 is the front view of a typical expansion module attached to the cable or rope matrix. The positioning of the web strapping as well as the water inlet ports can and will vary with the deployment application and requirements.

FIG. 9A is rear view of a typical module attached to the cable matrix. The positioning of the web strapping and inlet ports can and will vary but are always positioned to avoid overlapping of straps from adjacent modules on the same portion of cable.

FIG. 10 is a depiction illustrating the preferred deployment technique of the vevee matrix barrier system from the ground or water level, typically from atop the levee itself near and adjacent to the breached or weakened portion of the existing levee. In this deployment method, the un-hydrated system is unfolded from its folded transport configuration with the bottom row of Inflation modules (together with any ballast modules) attached closest to the water's edge. Once properly sized unfolded and (based on the width and depth of the breach, a launch float is inflated and placed in the water parallel to the shoreline and against the levee itself. The ballast modules extending from below the bottom row of expansion modules are then draped over the launch float while two, extendable poles are attached to straps at each end of the ‘cigar shaped’ launch float. A cable or rope is either passed through the center core of the poles or threaded through exterior ‘guides’ and attached to large air escape scuttle valves located on the launch float. When the operator determines that the matrix barrier system is properly floated into position (desired distance from water/shoreline), the cables are pulled, and the valves or vents open allowing the air within the launch float to escape. As the launch float deflates and sinks, the ballast modules will drop straight down into the water and to the bottom, pulling with it, the entire matrix barrier with its attached expansion modules and floats.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of a deployed system onto which an additional row of inflation modules has been added that makes the system longer than what is actually required by the height of the levee or depth of the reservoir. In this instance, the bottom row of inflation modules and the ballast modules are lying horizontal on the bottom to provide additional resistance of the entire system to any currents created by a badly breached levee.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment utilizes cellulose and/or cross linked super absorbent polymers to absorb and contain water and may be custom blended to maximize and/or control their water absorbency and the speed at which they hydrate based on a number of factors including barrier deployment methods and strategies as well as water temperature, its salinity, or the presence of other suspended particulates etc. The inflation modules can have one or more inlet ports, slots or valves positioned at one or more locations on the module to allow water to enter the modules at different rates and from different directions which in turn can result in certain sections of the overall barrier matrix to fully deploy sooner than others and begin filling or covering the breached or weakened portion of the levee, dam or dike that is created by water escaping over or through said levee, dike or dam. Full hydration of the inflation module can require as little as 3 minutes or as many as 15 minutes. The sequence and rate of hydration is an important part of the uniqueness and subsequent efficacy of the overall matrix barrier in closing or plugging the break or breach. When fully hydrated, each inflation module contains ‘x’ cubic feet of hydrated polymer gel weighing ‘y’ pounds. In the preferred embodiment, each module contains 60 cubic feet of such hydrated polymer gel and weighs approximately 3,500 LBS.

The desired (optimal) overall size of the deployed matrix or grid can be quickly calculated at the site in real time based on the width and depth of the weakened, leaking, eroded or breached area of the dike, dam or levee and adjustments in the number, size, positioning and deployment speed of the inflation modules is adjusted accordingly (added or subtracted).

As an example, a 15′-20′ wide active and flowing breach in a levee might require a matrix barrier composed of approximately 35 inflation modules totaling 2,100 cubic feet of ‘plugging’ bulk and volume weighing approximately 122,000 lbs. when fully hydrated. Prior to deployment and subsequent submersion and hydration, the overall matrix barrier would weigh less than 2,000 lbs.

Set-up and deployment methods and procedures are also unique to the present invention and details will be provided below. Essentially there are multiple alternatives for physically deploying the barrier system and the process selected will vary from site to site based upon the size of the weakened or breached area; the depth of the reservoir (i.e. height of the levee, dike or dam); the material(s) used to construct the levee; access to the site itself by wheeled or tracked vehicles, the weight of such vehicles, the width and shape of the top of the levee; the availability of adequate aerial lifting resources (helicopters); weather conditions, etc.

The key to successfully stopping or dramatically reducing the outflow of water and silt through an unwanted, unplanned or unexpected break or breach in a levee is to replace or fill the missing or damaged section of the levee with an equal or greater volume of substitute material as quickly as possible and in such a way that the temporary replacement material is not simply sucked or washed through the breached section by the ever increasing flow of water seeking to escape its original containment space (lake, pond, river, reservoir, etc).

The present invention actually utilizes the escaping water itself to directly or indirectly provide the bulk volume (mass) and weight required to temporarily replace the solid ‘mass’ and weight of the original structure washed away by the failed levee.

The barrier uses both the 3-dimensional shape and size of the overall barrier and the manner the individual elements and components are positioned and connected. The overall shape of a deployed barrier is flexible and configurable in near-real-time at or near the site of the weakened, damaged or failed levee, and are therefore modular in nature.

The overall modular barrier system works by ‘plugging’ or clogging' the break or void in the levee. In order to accomplish this, the emergency repair barrier must act like a cork or tapered plug and mirror the overall shape and size of the missing portion of the levee. In fact, like a tapered plug, the clogging effect comes from ‘slightly over-sizing’ the plug for the space it is required to fill.

A damaged levee (especially an earthen levee) presents a multi-dimensional problem (all ‘X’, ‘Y’ & ‘Z’ planes or axis) requiring a multi-dimensional solution. For example, if a levee breach is caused by rising water levels which, as they approach the top of the levee, will seek the lowest and/or weakest spot and the resulting concentration of water at a particular spot will begin eroding or eating away at the levee construction material (typically clay). If allowed to continue, the water will cut or erode a ‘V’ shaped ravine down through the entire height and depth of the levee to, and sometimes below, its original base elevation and into the adjacent soil.

Therefore, the present invention (through use of its interchangeable and configurable inflation modules) can be quickly assembled to reflect the shape of the actual breach in the ‘X’, ‘Y’ and ‘Z’ axis or planes.

Using the classic ‘V’ shaped levee breach as an example; the present invention would be deployed in a 3 dimensional (‘X’, ‘Y’, ‘Z’ axis) form factor. This is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

Given the surface and underwater currents and pressures created on the water-body side of the levee by rising water levels and/or breaches in the levee structure in which the water is rushing to escape through the lowest point (the breached or weakened portion of the levee), the current invention is not only capable of being over-sized (like a cork in a bottle), but it connects all of the inflation modules together along all three axis (‘X’, ‘Y’ and ‘Z’) with high tensile strength cable.

As shown in the accompanying figures, the matrix cable straps attached to each inflation module can be of various lengths so that as the deployed barrier system is drawn to and into the failed portion (breach) of the levee, it will naturally bow outward in the direction the water is flowing out through the levee. In the bowing process, the levee side spaces between each inflation module will tend to ‘open’ up while the water-body end of each module will tend to get ‘pinched’. The spacing of the connection straps (front vs. rear) therefore vary to allow for this phenomenon.

The techniques for launch and final deployment of the barrier system at the actual site of a breached or weakened levee take into account that un-hydrated repair and barrier system will typically (depending on it dimensions and number of inflation modules) weigh less than 2,000 lbs, the quickest method of deploying the system will be to lower the partially folded and assembled matrix directly into the water on the inboard or water side of the levee. Using a helicopter with the barrier system suspended below it, two individuals on the top of the levee will grab, pull and secure cables that are hanging well below the main body of the barrier system and help guide the barrier system being lowered from the helicopter. Once the system is in or on the water, small ballast modules (weights) attached to certain matrix cables will pull the lowest row of inflation modules below the surface and extra water inlet ports in those same inflation modules will allow water to penetrate the module and hydrate the otherwise dry cellulose and/or polymer contained in such inflation modules at a faster rate than the inflation modules closer to the surface.

In turn, each horizontal row of inflation modules will have similarly sized inlet ports with identical gallons per minute (GPM) capabilities to assure the even hydration and subsequent expansion of the cellulose and/or polymers.

The top row of inflation modules may incorporate ball floats which may be colored with an easily visible color such as bright orange. The ball floats are attached in various places to the matrix barrier to lift the top row of modules to float at or near the surface.

An alternative method of deploying the matrix barrier is to launch it at water level from atop the levee itself. In this approach, the matrix is basically unfolded from its typical storage and transport configuration and spread out with the lowest row of inflation modules positioned at the water's edge with the ballast modules draped over an inflated ‘cigar shaped tube’ the same length as the bottom row of inflation modules. The tube is then pushed away from the bank (remaining parallel to the face of the levee) using extension poles attached to both ends of the tube. When the tube is pushed away from the levee bank, it pulls the unfolded matrix barrier system behind it until the entire system is fully extended with the last or top row of the matrix barrier secured or held close to the water's edge. The extension poles used to push the system away from levee bank are then twisted or pulled in a manner that dislodges two or more air valves which then allows air to rapidly escape from the flotation device, effectively scuttling it and, in the process, the ballast modules sink rapidly to the bottom of the reservoir, pulling the matrix from its floating or semi-floating horizontal position to the vertical position parallel to the levee and centered on the breached section.

The following numbers refer to the corresponding numbers in the drawings:

100 galvanized (typically ½″ diameter vinyl coated) steel cable used to form the overall ‘skeletal’ structural shape of the matrix onto and into which various additional modules may be attached or secured. Such additional modules include but are not limited to ballast modules, flotation modules, connector modules, large inflation modules (see 105), rigid beams or tubes and other components that assist in the deployment and/or water blocking functionality of the overall system described in this application.

In an alternative embodiment, the steel cable may be replaced with other natural or man-made twisted fiber cables, ropes or straps.

100 a excess cable, rope or strap material (typically 25′ in length) used to secure top of entire matrix system to top of levee, dike or dam.

100 b is the cable, rope or strapping that runs perpendicular to the other cables and is not typically not restricted (crimped) by the connector modules (101) that it passes through.

100 c metal stake (typically up to 1″ in diameter and up to 72″ in length with one end tapered or pointed and the other end flat for hammering purposes. This stake is hammered into the ground at a slight angle away from the direction that the cable will follow when the system is deployed into the water. Alternatively the stake may be in the form of an auger which ‘screws’ itself down into the soil or clay and provides a stronger connection point with less depth or length.

101 cast metal (typically aluminum alloy) cable connector module block. The module itself can be made in any shape (e.g. square and flat; round and flat as depicted herein; round like a ball, square like a cube or other form so long as it can be mechanically compressed to ‘crimp’ or squeeze together two or more of the cables or ropes that pass through it. The preferred embodiment accommodates three (3) such cables or ropes with two being crimped or squeezed in position and the third passing loosely through the connector module.

101 a is the ‘top’ half of the connector module (shown here in the preferred embodiment shape of round). There are five holes drilled or cast into and through the module to allow for the passage of (2-4) bolts or additional cables or ropes designed to run at a 90° angle to the face of the matrix barrier itself and the other cables, ropes or straps running through the module. The single cable or rope running through the module at a 90° angle to the other cables or ropes is not crimped, squeezed or is its movement through the connector module restricted in any way by the connector module itself. The other cables or ropes passing through the connector actually cross one another and are squeezed together by drawing the bolts and their nuts together.

101 b is the ‘bottom’ half of the connector module whose design and functionality are essentially the same. The two halves will have alignment ridges and valleys, notches or similar features to guarantee perfect alignment of the two halves for the purpose of bolting them together as well as being able to run the perpendicular cable or rope freely through both halves

101 c is a depressed notch, valley or wedge used to quickly assist alignment of the top and bottom half (101 a and 101 b) by sight or feel.

102 threaded bolts (typically stainless steel or hardened aluminum alloy) with wing or plain nuts.

102 a the head end of the bolt will have a larger than typical diameter to provide more surface area against the connector module (partially replaces functionality of a washer).

102 b the top, external, top head surface of the bolt will have a Philips ‘female’ slotting pattern cast or machined in a tapered implementation into the bolt head to accommodate multiple sizes of Philips ‘male’ drivers

102 c the underside of the bolt head will be cast, stamped or machined to create three (3) or more outwardly radiating raised ‘ridges’ that will align with, and mirror ‘valleys’ cut or cast into the connector module (101 a). The raised ridges on the underside of the bolt head will align with the depressed valleys adjacent to the bolt holes in the connector module to help lock the bolt head in place during the final tightening process. The bolts will therefore be unable to turn freely once the ridges and valleys are nested. The final tightening of each bolt will therefore be accomplished primarily from the nut or wing nut end of the bolt.

103 aligned passage hole through 101 a and 101 b to accommodate passage of 100 b (steel cable) running perpendicular to other cables passing through connector block

104 ballast module (weights typically made from concrete with metal or fabric closed loop(s) (preferably stainless steel) protruding from top to accommodate attachment to cable matrix). The ballast module is typically attached in the field in real time during the deployment of the barrier system.

105 inflation module (typically made from black, UV treated, 6-8 oz. bio and/or photo degradable woven polypropylene measuring up to 48″×48″×60″ and either factory sealed or capable of field sealing. The inflation module has one or more methods of allowing external water to enter interior of bag or chamber where a measured quantity of super-absorbent (typically cross linked) polymers or similarly man-made or natural materials are located. The super-absorbent materials are all non-toxic, bio or photo degradable and represent various proprietary blends that determine the speed and volume of its hydration within the inflation module. The inflation module is also equipped with combinations of inlet port(s) that allow the one-way passage of water into the module in various quantities and rates of flow (see 107).

106 external fabric (typically polypropylene or similar woven, high strength natural or manmade fabric) connection (web) straps that are sewn or otherwise affixed to the outside of the inflation module to provide both reinforcement strength and loops through which the cables (#100) comprising the matrix barrier are connected to each inflation module.

106 a length of the connection straps beyond the edge of the bag will vary with the preferred embodiment having longer straps on the back or levee side of the inflation module than the straps on the front or reservoir-facing straps. This allows for the entire barrier system to ‘bow’, ‘bend’ or curve inward towards the levee, dike or dam, especially if that infrastructure is already breached and a strong outward water current has been created by the escaping water.

107 water inlet ports. Variable, one-way flow rate and sizes, mono-directional to allow external water to enter the inflation module and hydrate the super absorbent polymers or other similar man-made or natural materials capable of absorbing water up to 500 (or more) times their own weight without allowing the cellulose polymer to escape the inside of the inflation module.

108 temporary inflation material containment bag or liner, water permeable fabric or material typically non-woven such as rice paper or man-made bio-degradable resins or plastics such as polypropylene.

109 flotation modules—airtight devices secured to selected ‘top level’ points of the overall cable matrix structural system to provide additional buoyancy and act to counter the vertical downward pull of the ballast connected at the ‘bottom level’ of the overall cable matrix barrier structure. These flotation devices may be attached in the field during the system deployment process or in advance when the basic cable or rope matrix is pre and/or partially-assembled. The flotation devices utilize quick, ‘snap-on’ hooks.

110 launch float—vinyl canvas or other water tight flexible material shaped like a cigar and typically measuring 10-15 feet in length and approximately 18-36″ in diameter with one or more airtight chambers and one or more compressed air filling valves. The launch float also has two or more scuttle valves or plugs that, when pulled by attached ropes or cable, open and allow the air inside the float's air chamber to rapidly escape thus causing the launch float to deflate and sink.

111 launch poles and cables- extendable (either telescoping or screw-on sections) that attach to the ends of the launch float and provide propulsion and steerage from the side or top of the levee to the launch float as it is pushed away from shore and into position in front of the levee breach or weakened section. 

1. A water barrier system, comprising: A series of interconnected modules having at least three and sides and a top and bottom together comprising a matrix barrier; said modules being positioned on an at-risk levee in a flattened condition; said modules having a quantify of hydrophilic expansive material that absorbs water to cause the expansive material to increase the height of the module when exposed to water; at least one opening in each module to admit water to the module when water reaches the opening in the module, said interconnected modules being arranged in a wedge shaped matrix configuration so that the water side of the interconnected modules is wider than the existing or anticipated breech in a levee, and having fewer modules in a line on the levee side of the matrix to wedge into said breech.
 2. The water barrier system of claim 1, wherein; a ballast module is attached to the lower end of the matrix to sink the matrix barrier so that the lowermost modules are below the lowest point of the breech in the levee.
 3. The water barrier system of claim 2 wherein: flotation modules mounted to the top of said matrix barrier to float the uppermost inflation modules at or near the water surface.
 4. The water barrier system of claim 3, wherein: a elongated launch float attached to said matrix barrier to assist in positioning the water barrier away from the levee.
 5. The water barrier system of claim 3 wherein: poles secured to the ends of said launch to position said launch float a sufficient distance from said levee and at least one scuttle valve on said launch float that may be opened to admit water and to sink the launch module
 6. The water barrier system of claim 1, wherein: said matrix is formed by interconnecting modules in a x-y matrix using cables extending in orthogonal directions and being joined at their intersections by connector modules with groves to position the cables.
 7. The water barrier system of claim 6, wherein: said cables include longitudinal cables that extend the entire length of at least the upper row of said inflation modules and which are anchored to said levee. 